Oya the Oracle

In my interpretation, an Oracle is simply someone very skilled in communication with the divine.

Someone able to speak prophecy or sound advice. (Usually someone who would identify as Priest or Priestess)

How did you come into Oracle work?

Wow, this question can never get old for me, it holds great memories. I can say that around age 11, my mother noticed I had a powerful gift in communication with my peers. I was able to mediate situations and give great advice effortlessly, you know the saying “she’s been here before” well it was usually on the tip of a lot of tongues. I don’t think I started using divination until around age 15. I didn’t take it to serious, I got my first Oracle deck and was able to read for myself and use it mostly for fun! All of my work/jobs even up into the last few years dealt with communication with people and being able to give advice. I’ve studied psychology for years, it was always something about the human psyche that intrigued me. Fast forward to about 2012 - 2013, my life started coming full circle. My best friend, my only friend passed away, I was in a manic state for about 3 weeks, quit my job, moved. Life didn’t make sense at this point. Who I was, what I wanted to be, and what I believed in was all up in the air. I remember being led into a small occult shop, I ended up purchasing my second oracle and tarot deck in my 20’s. I also remember picking up a book on reincarnation (my best friend just passed so if there was any closure, or reassurance that she was here I wanted to find it.) My deepest spiritual journey had begun. Being able to feel like I was in contact with her, and getting support from my spirit guides, and ancestors, things started feeling better. I carried my deck everywhere! From then on I started hanging out with students of the occult and a more spiritually inclined crowd. I would practice readings on my friends and they would say I was really good and that I should open the doors so others can experience my readings. It was completely out of the question at that time in my life lol. Little did I know what the future really held, however, never in a million years did I think I would be providing readings for people and it would be my career.

I told you the story about how I found you and how I immediately resonated with your images and words on your website. The first thing that I connected with how embrace “darkness”. There was an article I read on “spiritual bypassing” that talked about using this veil/mask of light, love, or peace, to avoid one’s pain or shadows and how this can actually sabotage our expansion, which is something I’ve personally experienced. So, I feel like I’m in this stage of going into the dark side. Can you talk more about your relationship with “darkness” or “shadows” and how you work with this aspect as an Oracle?

I love this question! I also 100% agree, that we can mask the pain with this love and light veil and it’s so easy to sabotage our growth by doing so. My relationship with darkness has been tragically messy and disgusting, but oh so beautiful! As I previously said I’ve been into psychology pretty heavy for some years now. As I started digging deeper into occult and esoteric knowledge, I started doing a lot of personal development. (personal development was also another major breaking point of coming into a deeper understanding of the occult) I started learning about the subconscious and conscious mind, and how we’ve been conditioned since children. To Talk a certain way, believe certain things, how a wombman should act, dress and so forth and so on. I was taken aback, Like Damn! My whole life I’ve been conditioned. I’ve been taught to repress certain feelings and to just be this ONE girl/wombman. The rabbit hole was becoming Deep, I started being more of an observer, to the way people treat me, to what I allowed on a day to day basis. I started observing how weak I was, and how I allowed a few decades of being told no, and what not to do, or watch or say shape the reality I created around me. I was frightened. I started hearing about this Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde theory, how we all have two sides. One for the public, and a shadow self. I was intrigued, I wanted to meet this shadow (Or so I thought lol). Before I move forward I just want to state what a shadow is, a shadow refers to the part of the personality which has been repressed for the sake of the ego ideal. Examples of the shadow include self-destructive behavior, guilt, abuse, lying, envy, anxiety, shame, addiction, and the list can literally go on for miles. So I decided I was just going to jump on into shadow work! WRONG, I was in my love and light phase, where everything is just fine at its current state, (don’t get me wrong, I have a very positive outlook, and I’m becoming comfortable with living in the now but if that’s ALL you see, you’re in for a rude awakening.) I started little things like writing down what fueled by fire, what got me angry, why and at whom and for what underlying reasons. Everything seemed okay, I started testing myself more. I started doing things that made me uncomfortable or exercises that would show me at my weaker state. I didn’t like it. I didn’t like the realization that the confidence I thought I had was merely a facade; I didn’t like that I used others to make me feel needed. I didn’t like that I wouldn’t speak my mind and stand up for myself. I didn’t like that I was envious of other people and their accomplishments. I didn’t like a lot about myself… I started figuring out that the root of everything in my life was me and that everything I packed in that bag that seemed unworthy, or that society deemed unfit that I was dragging all these years must come out to play. The good, the bad, and the ugly. From there on out I started using divination as tool for myself and others when delving into shadow work. It’s definitely an ongoing journey, a never ending one. I’m now able to destroy the old me and build a new with a more suitable foundation. I truly believe that we are conditioned to fit this one design, this one perfect human. And we follow this path blindly, and when we don’t live up to this invisible standard that is choking us it feels soul destroying, so we try harder and harder to live up to these expectations and live inside this invisible box and the very thing we try not to be, consumes us. So instead of running from myself, I decided to become myself, my full and genuine self. Utilizing what I see and feel is best for the situation. So a lot of times in my work, I get people asking advice or simply seeking confirmation. Instead of pointing the finger at the outside world, I like to find a solution where you realize this projection of your reality is something there because of you, now how and why it’s there is the question. I enjoy the feeling of giving a sense of our empowerment back to my clients, reminding them they have full control over their lives. I don’t mean the cookie cutter responses either. I mean really digging deep, and realizing the little habits and patterns we have in our everyday relationships that defines us. We can’t live without our shadow.

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I’m assuming your name, “Oya The Oracle”, comes from Oya the Orisha. Can you tell us a bit about Oya? Why do you resonate so deeply with this spirit in particular? How do you channel Oya in your Oracle work?

Oya is a Yoruba Goddess, known as The mother of 9. She brings forth the winds of change, ruler of the graveyards, and the marketplace. She is the Orisha of rebirth and new life. “Goddesses such as She are referred to as Dark goddesses because they not only pull you into the darkness and guide you through the dark and turmoil, but they point you to the light of hope. She is considered the Crone aspect of this Triple goddess trilogy. As a Crone Goddess, she is a teacher of truth and a bringer of justice.” I resonate with Oya because of all these aspects and more. I was given the name Oya before I even understood who she was. Once I did my own research on her I realized I was a reflection of her being in so many ways, it was no coincidence I was given this name. Even down to the day I was born and the significance behind it. Oya simply put, gives it like it is, “Oya does not just rearrange the furniture in the house -- She knocks the building to the ground and blows away the floor tiles." In my Oracle work, I feel that when people come to me seeking advice or clarity. I tend to blow people away, I don’t sugar coat my readings, I tell it exactly as the cards lay no matter how hard that process may be. We need truth in this day in age, and we need someone to help assist us with inner and outer transformations. With my natural abilities that I’ve been able to harness over time, I feel that it’s my duty to serve my community by sharing these gifts.

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Do you identify as a witch? What does being a witch mean for you?

Do I identify as being a witch? Yes, Absolutely. To me being a witch, is simply being unapologetically me! Again this is my interpretation. I feel being a witch is being a wise wombman, being wise enough to step into your power, and owning the magick we all carry and using it however YOU see fit. I do not feel that there is one path in witchcraft for all. There is no ONE way to do things just because you identify as being witch. I identify as a lot of things, a tarot reader, an alchemist, a root worker, a ritual practioner, a sorceress … the list goes on. I have no limits in what I identify as, as long as it works for me.

What is one of your most beloved Rituals?

Hmmmmm… one of my most beloved rituals? Great question, I can’t say I have a favorite or one I do more than any other, But I do enjoy the energy behind love rituals. Whether it’s making friends, or sweetening people up to me, or my business. I just enjoy working with Venus.

What makes you feel powerful?

I feel most powerful when I’m serving others and helping other people step in their power. I believe in all my being that when you serve others from a place of passion you are operating from a higher self.

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What are some current creations that you are working on?

I have so many new creations I’m working on. It’s ridiculous. I’m going to be looking

for an assistant soon! I’m currently moving into candles, I have some new

7day candles coming out that are Dark Goddess themed, so I’m super excited to

add these into the shop. If it’s one thing I can never have enough of its candles,

If I don’t have any other tool to perform with, I will use candles.

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Who are some Black Femme witches that inspire you? Is there anyone in particular that

you would like to co-create with?

Some Black femme witches that inspire me … well I can name one!

GRACE JONES, she gives me life on so many levels, artistically, aesthetically, and

just being a strong black wombman. As far as co creating, I’d love to co create

with @thehoodwitch she’s really dope, down to earth and knows her shit.

Do you have any words of wisdom or love for folks who are getting into Oracle work?

My words of wisdom or love, for anyone getting into any kind of witchcraft, oracle

work, or any spiritual path Is find what works for you and stand in your truth. It

may not make sense to others who you are and what you do, but your path is for

you. I believe we are merely remembering and relearning in this life so we have all

the answers we need within. Don’t be afraid to be mocked or misunderstood, it

means you’re on the right path to self-discovery, a path just for you unlike any